cape on the NW coast of Acarnania (in ancient Greece): the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by those of Octavian in a naval battle near Actium (31 )
See Actium in American Heritage Dictionary 4
A promontory and ancient town of western Greece. In 31 B.C. it was the site of Octavian's naval victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. As a result of the battle, Egypt came under Roman control and Octavian (later Augustus) was established as the ruler of Rome.